A full cord of pine wood typically costs $200-$450 delivered, with a broad U.S. range of about $150-$650 depending on region, seasoning, and delivery distance. A true cord contains 128 cubic feet of neatly stacked wood; log length, moisture, stacking, and whether the seller includes delivery can change the quote substantially.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full cord, pickup | $150 | $275 | $450 | Usually green or air-dried wood; buyer handles loading |
| Full cord, delivered | $200 | $350 | $650 | Typical 16-inch splits; access and mileage affect price |
| Face cord, delivered | $75 | $140 | $250 | Often one-third cord when pieces are 16 inches long |
| Kiln-dried pine, full cord | $350 | $500 | $750 | Premium price for faster, more consistent drying |
What a Full Cord of Pine Usually Costs
For a full cord of split pine, buyers commonly pay $150-$300 at a rural pickup location and $200-$450 for a typical delivered order. Higher-cost metro areas, kiln-dried stock, or difficult delivery access can push the total to $500-$750. The average delivered purchase is around $350, assuming ordinary split lengths, air-dried wood, and a local delivery.
A full cord is a volume measure, not a truckload description. It measures 128 cubic feet stacked, typically arranged as a pile 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet long. A seller’s “cord” should match that stacked volume; loose wood in a truck bed occupies more space and cannot be measured the same way.
Prices per full cord work out to roughly $1.17-$5.86 per cubic foot, with many standard delivered orders near $2.75 per cubic foot. That calculation is useful when comparing a smaller bundle or face cord, but only if the seller states the pile dimensions and piece length.
Assumptions: Split pine, ordinary residential access, local delivery, and standard 16-inch pieces. Prices vary by state, season, and whether wood is green, seasoned, or kiln-dried.
How Delivered Cordwood Quotes Split Between Wood and Service
A quote may combine wood, delivery, stacking, and other services into one total. Asking for each charge separately helps distinguish a good wood price from a high delivery fee. The ranges below represent common U.S. estimates, not a fixed national tariff.
| Quote item | Low | Average | High | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unseasoned split pine | $120/cord | $210/cord | $350/cord | Local supply, split size, and pickup terms |
| Seasoned split pine | $180/cord | $300/cord | $500/cord | Drying time, storage, and moisture verification |
| Kiln-dried upgrade | $75/cord | $150/cord | $250/cord | Kiln capacity, packaging, and delivery market |
| Local delivery | $25 | $65 | $150 | Distance, truck access, and order minimum |
| Stacking service | $40 | $90 | $180 | Stack distance, terrain, and pile height |
Wood condition and service charges can account for more of the quote than the pine species itself. Some sellers include delivery within a small radius, while others charge a flat fee or mileage rate. Confirm whether the amount covers unloading at the driveway, placement near a woodshed, or hand stacking at the storage area.
Labor can be estimated as . For stacking, a crew may charge roughly $25-$50 per worker-hour, though many providers quote a flat $40-$180 per cord based on the carry distance and pile configuration. A driveway drop generally costs less than moving wood by wheelbarrow across a yard.
Why Seasoning, Log Length, and Moisture Change the Price
Seasoned pine usually costs more than green pine because the seller must store and protect it while moisture falls. Air-dried wood commonly sells for $180-$500 per cord delivered, while freshly cut or green pine may be $120-$350. Kiln-dried stock often reaches $350-$750, reflecting equipment, handling, and quicker availability.
“Seasoned” is not a precise moisture guarantee unless the seller states a target and measurement method. Buyers can ask for a moisture reading on a freshly split face; readings around 20% or lower are a common practical target for firewood. Surface readings on an old split can be misleading, so the sample should be taken from the inside of a newly opened piece.
Piece length affects both convenience and usable volume. Standard 16-inch splits fit many residential stoves, while 18-20-inch pieces may be priced similarly but will not fit every firebox. Custom cuts, very short pieces, or extra splitting can add about $20-$75 per cord, depending on labor and the seller’s equipment.
Delivery conditions can change the quote even when the wood price is fixed. A truck that can unload beside the shed may avoid extra labor, while steep slopes, narrow gates, soft ground, or a long hand-carry route may add $25-$150 or more. Confirm unloading limits before ordering, especially for a full-cord load.
How Much Do Face Cords and Pickup Loads Cost?
A face cord is one row of stacked wood, commonly 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but its depth depends on log length. With 16-inch pieces it holds about one-third of a full cord, or roughly 42.7 cubic feet; with 24-inch pieces it holds about half a cord. Since sellers use the term differently, dimensions matter more than the label.
| Order size | Typical volume | Pickup range | Delivered range | Price check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundle | About 0.75-1.5 cubic feet | $6-$12 | $7-$15 | $4-$16 per cubic foot |
| Face cord, 16-inch pieces | About one-third cord | $50-$130 | $75-$200 | $150-$600 per full-cord equivalent |
| Half cord | About 64 cubic feet | $90-$250 | $125-$350 | Delivery minimum may raise unit price |
| Full cord | 128 cubic feet | $150-$450 | $200-$650 | Ask for stacked dimensions |
Smaller loads often cost more per cord equivalent because delivery and handling do not shrink in proportion to the wood volume. A $125 face cord may look cheaper than a $350 full cord, but at one-third cord it implies $375 per full-cord equivalent. That comparison is meaningful only when the pieces are the same length and are measured stacked.
Pickup can reduce cost by about $25-$150 when the buyer has a suitable vehicle and can load safely. A standard passenger vehicle is not appropriate for a cord; the load can exceed safe payload limits. Buyers should check vehicle capacity and use a trailer or truck rated for the actual weight and volume.
What Delivery Distance and Region Add to a Pinewood Order
Regional prices reflect local pine supply, population density, transportation, and contractor availability. Rural areas near logging or sawmill operations may price a pickup cord 10%-25% below the national middle range. In dense metro markets, delivered prices can run 15%-35% higher because of land, labor, fuel, and limited storage space.
Delivery mileage can erase a low advertised price. A nearby drop may be included, but a seller outside the immediate service area may charge $2-$5 per mile, a $50-$150 flat delivery fee, or a minimum order. Ask whether distance is calculated one way or round trip and whether the truck can reach the intended drop point.
Cold-weather regions can have strong demand before and during winter, especially after storms or supply disruptions. In some markets, late-fall orders cost 5%-15% more than early-season purchases, and short-notice delivery can add $25-$100. These changes are local rather than universal; a supplier with ample stored inventory may keep prices steady.
Taxes, where applicable, can also change the final invoice. Firewood rules and sales-tax treatment differ by state and locality, so the quote should identify whether taxes are included. For outlying homes, a delivery minimum or surcharge may matter more than a small difference in the wood’s per-cord price.
When Pine Orders Need Extra Cutting, Stacking, or Storage
Common add-ons include cutting to a custom length, additional splitting, moving wood beyond the driveway, and removing old debris from the drop area. Custom cutting may add $20-$75 per cord, while hand stacking often costs $40-$180. Debris removal or moving an existing pile is usually quoted separately, often at $50-$200 depending on volume and access.
Ask whether the listed price means curbside delivery or placement at the final storage spot. A delivery truck may be unable to drive across a lawn, reach a backyard, or unload through a narrow gate. If the drop site is more than 50 feet from the truck, or requires stairs or a steep grade, request a written handling estimate before ordering.
Green pine needs a dry, ventilated storage area and time to season. A basic covered rack or platform can cost about $50-$250, while a larger woodshed may run $500-$2,000 or more depending on size and construction. The stack should be raised off soil and covered on top while allowing air movement along the sides.
Storage does not make green wood immediately ready to burn. Depending on starting moisture, split size, climate, and airflow, air drying can take several months or longer. Buyers who need firewood right away may find seasoned or kiln-dried stock worth the premium, while buyers with existing dry inventory can consider lower-priced green wood.
Pine Versus Hardwood Price for the Same Heating Use
Pine typically costs less per cord than oak or other dense hardwoods, but a cord of pine generally delivers less heat because it weighs less and burns faster. Delivered pine often falls around $200-$450 per cord; mixed hardwood commonly runs $300-$600, and premium oak can reach $400-$800 in expensive markets. Local prices may overlap, so compare actual quotes.
Compare cost per useful heating season, not only the price per cord. A lower-cost pine cord can be practical for shoulder-season fires, kindling, or a home with easy access to replenishment. For longer overnight burns or fewer restocking trips, hardwood may offer more heat and burn time per stacked volume.
Pine can be used in a properly maintained, code-compliant appliance when dry and burned according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Resinous softwood does not inherently cause chimney fires; creosote risk rises when wood is wet, combustion is inefficient, or the chimney is neglected. Regular inspection and cleaning are important regardless of species.
A mixed cord may cost about $250-$550 delivered, depending on the hardwood share and regional supply. Buyers can ask whether the mix is measured by stacked volume and which species are included. A seller’s “mixed wood” description alone does not establish the heating value or the exact proportion of pine.
Which Choices Lower a Pine Cord Price Without Changing Volume?
Ordering early, accepting standard 16-inch splits, and choosing local pickup can reduce avoidable charges. A larger order may lower the per-cord delivery rate if the seller can bring multiple cords in one trip, but the total invoice rises and the wood needs enough covered storage space. Compare the final cost, not just a discount per cord.
Protect the exact quantity and condition before negotiating the price. Get the stacked dimensions, piece length, moisture status, delivery location, and any stacking fee in writing. A cheaper “cord” that is actually a face cord or loose truckload may cost more per usable volume than a higher-priced, accurately measured order.
Consider green pine only when there is time and room to season it. The savings may be $50-$200 per cord compared with dry or kiln-dried wood, but the buyer takes responsibility for storage and delayed use. If the wood is needed this winter, a slightly more expensive seasoned cord may avoid buying another load or relying on wet fuel.
Compare at least three local quotes using the same specifications. Ask for a total delivered price and separate fees for stacking, custom cuts, mileage, and taxes. If one estimate is much lower, confirm volume and delivery terms rather than assuming the seller has made a like-for-like offer.